Obituary: Carl G. Butler / Butler County government official known for work ethic

Carl G. Butler, the Butler County director of facilities who was known for friendliness and his work ethic, died Sunday at UPMC Presbyterian from injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident. He was 52.

Mr. Butler was a 31-year county employee who started as a laborer and rose through the ranks to become director of facilities and operations. He was in an accident on McCalmont Road, just off of Route 8 in Butler, on Saturday night.

His death cast a pall over the courthouse, where a small memorial was placed in his honor.

"We are like a family here. I couldn't believe it when I heard the news," said county Commissioner James Kennedy.

Mr. Butler, he said, excelled at his job, because he poured himself into his work. "He took a personal interest in every county project he touched and that showed itself in the quality of the results."

He said Mr. Butler was among those instrumental in getting the new prison construction project under way.

Born in Butler, he graduated from Butler High School in 1974 and later earned an associate's degree in fine arts from Butler County Community College.

"He loved his hometown and he dedicated his life to serving the people here," said his wife, Patty Jo Butler. "He was the kind of person who would be the first on the scene to help anybody in need."

In addition to his love of motorcycles, he enjoyed boating, camping, traveling and building projects, she said.

Mr. Butler also is survived by his mother, Elizabeth Hilliard Butler of Butler; daughters Katie L. Decker, Carla Cox, Kelly Christie and Cassie Wood; a stepson, Michael Dunmyre of Butler; a sister, Elizabeth Flick of Fenelton; brothers Edgar and Thomas of Butler; and two grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, 124 E. North St., Butler.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in Community Alliance Church. Interment will follow in Greenlawn Burial Estates.

Karamagi Rujumba can be reached at krujumba@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1719.

First Published August 26, 2008 12:00 am